Necktie support and spreader



Sept. 30, 1930. J. c. OWENS NECKTIE SUPPORT AND SPREADER Filed June 8, 1927 IT ,Tlnml jz .i.

Patented Sept. 30, 1930 JESSE C. OW'ENS, OF Ill-OS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA NncK'rrE surron'r AND SPREADER Application filed June 8, 1927. Serial No. 197,366.

Hy invention relates to a combined support and spreader for neckties and has for its principal object, the provision of a relatively simple device that will conveniently hold and support a necktie and which, serring as a support, will stretch the tie and retain same in a taut condition, thereby tench ing to remove the wrinkles from the fabric of which the tie is constructed.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a device of the character referred to that includes an expansible wire frame that is utilized as a spreader and with which is combined a'fiat plate, preferably of metal that is utilized when the necktie is pressed with a sad iron or the like.

A further object of my'invention' is to provide a fabric cover for the expansible wire frame or the sheet metal plate and which fabric cover is utilized with said frame and plate, While the tie is being cleaner, pressed or stretched.

A further object of my invention is toprovide a combined support and stretcher for neckties that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and which may be utilized by the individual or by persons making a business of cleaning, pressing and repairing mens clothing. neckties and the like V 'With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists in certain novel featuresof construction and arrangement of partsthatwill be hereinafter more fully 5 described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig. l is a perspective view of a necktie support and stretching device of my im 1 proved construction and showing a necktie J in position thereupon.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the expansible wire frame that forms a part of my invention.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the metal plate that is utilized as a support for the tie when the same is to be cleaned or pressed.

Fig. 4. is an enlarged detailed section of a portion of the collapsible wire stretching frame.

Fig. 5 is a cross section showing the device positioned within a necktie F ig. '6 is an elevational view of a modified form of the expansible stretching frame.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, lO'designates an elongated stretching frame preferably formed of a single section of resilient wire bent to form pair of straight, normally parallel legs 11. The shape of this stretcher member is somewhat like that of an elongated hair pin. Pivotally connected to the inner sides of the legs 11 and spaced at suitable distances apart are pairs of links 12, and the inner ends of the members of each pair of links are pivotally connected to a centrally arranged operating rod 13, the lower end of which terminates in a ring or loop 14:. The lengths of the members forming the pairs of links 12, are progressively increased toward the open lower end of the stretcher and thus when the'rod 13 is moved toward the closed end of the stretcher so as to move the members of the respective pairs of links into substantial alignment with each other, the open end of the stretched, or the free ends of the legs 11, are spread apart to a reater degree than the upper or closed end or the stretcher (see dotted lines Fig. 2.) The legs 11 normally tend to maintain parallel positions as illustrated by solid lines in Fig. 2 and thus the pairs of links 12 normally occupy substantially V-shape positions as illustrated in Fig. 2. Then the operating rod 13 is moved inward to its limit of movement, the members of the pairs of links are moved into position substantially in alignment with each other, thereby spreading the legs 11 apart, and as the'pivot points between the inner ends of the links 12. and the rod 13 move past center or beyond the planes occupied by the points of pivotal connection between the lengths and the legs 11, the spreading means including the rod 18 and pairs of links will be locked asillustrated in Fig. 4. In order to stop the links 12, after the same have been moved past center in expanding the legs 11, the outer endsof the links 12are provided with shoulders that bear against the legs 11 when said links have been moved past center or into locking position (see Fig. 4.) The size and shape of the spreading devices just described, are such as to permit the Spreaders to be positioned in the end portions of a necktie and thus when a pair of the Spreaders are postioned in the end portions of a tie and expanded by pushing the rods 13 inwardly, those portions of the tie that cover the spreading devices will be stretched and where the ties are left on the Spreaders over night or for several days, the goods from which the tie is made will be stretched so as to remove all wrinkles. Where the spreaders are utilized for supporting ties, for instance,

8 showcase, a show-window, or after having been cleaned, the lower ends of the legs 11 of the spreading devices may be inserted in apertures 16in a suitable base 17, thus holding and displaying the tie in stretched position as illustrated in Fig. 1. To serve as a support for the tie while the same is being cleaned with a cleansing fluid, or pressed with a and iron, an elongated plate 18 that is preferably formed ofthin material, such sheet metal, is provided, and this plate is inserted in the tubular end of the tie, either by itself or with the expansible frame herein described and thus a solid flat surface is provided that will support the fabric of the tie while the same is being rubbed with cleansing fluid or while the tie is being pressed with a sad iron. The lower portion of the plate 18'may be provided with apertures 18 that are adapted to receive pins or like devices, utilized for fastening the tie t the plate.

When the, plate 18 is inserted in the tie, it is preferably covered with a tubular member- 19 of relatively heavy fabric, thus providing a padded surface that tends to absorb the cleansing fluid that is applied to the surface of the necktie and said pad also serving as a cushioning element while the necktie is being pressed with a sad iron.

When the tie is being stretched, for instance, at night or between periods of wear, the fabric covering member 19 may be moistencd to a slight degree and then positioned upon the expansible frame or the plate 18 and when inserted in the end portion of the tie, the latter will absorb a certain amount of the moisture from the fabric member 19, thereby tending to eliminate wrinkles and giving the fabric of the tie a permanent set or form. Where the covering member 19 is applied to the plate 18 and the latter is inserted in the tie while the same is being pressed, member 19 may be slightly moistened to assist in the pressing operations.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of the expanding frame and in this modification, substantial parallel legs 21 of the expanding member are connected by bow springs 22, which normally bear tendency to spread the legs 21 apart.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided relatively simple, practical and inexpensive means for stretching and supporting a necktie and which means may be conveniently employed while the tie is being cleaned and pressed.

While I have shown and described my improved tie support and stretcher device as being particularly adapted for the four-inhand shapes of ties, it will be understood that the expansible stretching frame as well as the iron plate may be shaped so as to be inserted in the end portions of bow ties.

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved necktie support and spreader may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described. without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth I in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a necktie support and spreader, the combination with a block provided with a pair of apertures, of a resilient frame formed from a single section of wire bent double to form a pair of spaced straight legs, the lower ends of which are adapted to enter the apertures in the block to support the spreader in an upright position on said block, pairs of links pivotally connected to the legs of the spreader, and a rod pivotally connected to the inner ends of said pairs of links.

2. In a necktie support and spreader, the combination with a block provided with a pair of apertures, of a resilient frame formed from a single section of Wire bent double to form a pair of spaced straight legs, the lower ends of which are adapted to enter the apertures in the block to support the spreader in an upright position on said block, pairs of links pivotally connected to the legs of the spreader, shoulders formed on the outer ends of said links, which shoulders are adapted to engage the legs to limit the swinging movement of said links in one direction, and a rod pivotally connected to the inner ends of said pairs of links. i

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JESSE G. OWENS.

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